After dropping their third consecutive game, the Diamondbacks have watched their once-comfortable seven-game lead in the National League Wild Card race shrink to just one game.
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While the New York Mets’ nine-game winning streak hasn’t helped Arizona’s case, the real issue lies in the Diamondbacks’ 3-7 record over their last 10 games. With only 20 games remaining in the season, the team now finds itself in a vulnerable position.
The starting pitching has been particularly concerning. Although Jordan Montgomery has been moved to the bullpen, preventing further damage to the rotation, he has yet to find his rhythm as a reliever. Montgomery gave up three earned runs in 2.2 innings against the Dodgers last weekend and followed that performance with four earned runs in three innings against the Astros on Friday.
Eduardo Rodriguez’s struggles continue as well, with his season ERA now sitting at 5.83 after allowing four earned runs in the Diamondbacks’ 11-5 loss to the Astros. In his previous start, Rodriguez gave up five runs over five innings.
On offense, both Christian Walker and Ketel Marte have struggled since returning from the injured list. Marte is hitless in seven at-bats over two games, while Walker has managed just three hits in 15 at-bats.
In the first two games of their series against Houston, Arizona was outscored by 14 runs, prompting fans to relive memories of the 2018 season when the Diamondbacks went 11-25 starting in mid-August and missed the playoffs.
Though this isn’t quite the same level of collapse—the Diamondbacks still hold a Wild Card spot and boast one of the best records in baseball since the All-Star break—Saturday’s loss has fans entering panic mode.
130 MILLION DOLLARS THIS OFFSEASON… pic.twitter.com/BenX2FQFAa
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) September 8, 2024
Torey Lovullo has led the 2 biggest collapses in #DBacks history (2018 & 2024) and casuals will still act like he’s the greatest manager to ever walk the earth… everyone in the team is really good friends though!!
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) September 7, 2024
Alright Diamondback fans. This is a safe spot, let it out.
Dbacks drop another game and gave up 11 runs.. I’m trying not to panic.. but I’m not gonna lie, I’m nervous.
Good news: Football starts tomorrow? 😃
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 7, 2024
Eduardo Rodriguez/Jordan Montgomery will go down as the worst deals in #Dbacks history 🙁
— Alec Storm Musa (@alec_musa) September 7, 2024
I'm officially placing the Dbacks on Code Red. A true danger alert for missing the playoffs 🚨
Vibes are super low right now. Pitching is atrocious. Walker & Marte look super rusty off of the IL. The entire national league continues to win
Need the Answerbacks to answer back
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) September 7, 2024
Dbacks will miss the playoffs, at least there’s football tomorrow… #BirdGang #Dbacks
— AZ Sports Zone (@AZSportsZoneIE) September 8, 2024
Just think…
2 weeks ago, the DBacks were on a hot streak and ESPN and the MLB announced they are bringing the September 8th game against the Astros to the Primetime slot.Now the DBacks have lost 7 of their last 10 and might just get swept by the Astros tomorrow on National TV. https://t.co/jTsgGOJN0L
— Jordan64 (@jordan64g) September 8, 2024
Is it panic time for the Diamondbacks?